Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

A friend e-mailed her daily message, and in it she commented she is making bean soup for guests, but she does not have "the right kind of beans." This seemed to be a very simple metaphor for what the hermit took lines and lines to try to explain about special prayers, in the previous blog.

It is like having a bean soup recipe, and sometimes the exact ingredients are given, but we might not have them or have the inclination to use them, so we toss in what we have. We might think they are the wrong kind, but in fact they might create the best bean soup--the best prayer thus far. The point is to glorify God with whatever we have within our means; and what we have within our means, be it beans or thoughts or words or sentiments, is what God has provided for our means to glorify Him all the more.

Now, on another note, yes, the hermit is definitely keeping the large framed photo of the Holy Father just where it has remained since opening the gift after Midnight Mass:

I am to keep that large photo so beautifully framed, right out here in the small great room, leaning up against my coffin! Just there, as it is. When I am slouched in this corner chair, he is across from me, smiling at me with a smile that covers that immense brain of his behind his eyes and face, and I think he is telling me to "Be good." Since no one comes here, anyway, he may as well remain where he is, leaning against my coffin for he is not dead yet, and neither am I. We are still rooted to earth, to the floor.

Also, the other day when the hermit opened the front door to shake a rug, there was noticed a small red bag shoved up awkwardly under the door base jamb. It was brought inside, and opened, and three pieces of coal were inside. Turning it over, the words were written on the bag: "You've been naughty."

Now, who would shove that little bag with coal where it was found? It was not placed there, but seemed to have been thrown, for it was in an unlikly position. Ah, the neighbors who had the diabolic attack a few months ago, to which the sheriff was summoned and then told us we are not to speak or to step foot on each other's property but to live as if a forest stood between our close-knit abodes.

No one has been to Agnus Dei; who else would have thrown it? The hermit was going to simply dispose of it, but then thought that God has brought this little red bag with pieces of coal to remind the hermit that indeed the hermit is naughty, is a sinner, and also has not been praying much at all for the neighbor. The hermit is quite used to the lights glaring all night long and appreciates not having to turn on lights to go to the restroom, and can even take an early morning bath without turning on lights, which allows a nice glow and savings in electricity.

The hermit placed the little red bag back where it was lodged against the foundation, under the door jamb, and will use it for as long as the hermit exists here, as a prayer reminder. If anyone comes to the door and comments or picks it up, they too will be asked to pray for the neighbors, and their neighbors, too, as we must love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Surely, the hermit will not get used to the little red bag, especially in other seasons.

Perhaps the neighbor will notice that the bag remains; and if so, that is as well, for in love of neighbor, it is as well to outwardly ignore such silly exterior actions but to place all in loving prayer. This is how we turn what may be immature or negative into good, which glorifies God all the more.

Now the hermit has written and written and written. There is work to be done around here, and Morning Office to pray, and a soup to make with whatever ingredients are in the pantry and fridge. God's blessings to all the angels and saints, much love to the Most Blessed Trinity and the Virgin Mary, on this Feast of the Holy Family! And to one or two who might read these noxiously detailed blogs, much love to you, also, as we are family in Christ and with the Vicar of Christ as our dad who does pray for each of us daily and loves us with the sacrifice of begetting biological children.